Princess Cynthia’s innocent smile sent a chill down Helene’s spine.
In Helene’s eyes, Princess Cynthia was a villainess—a shameless murderer pretending to be virtuous.
But why, why was she always losing to her?
Even when she was clearly in a favorable position, she couldn’t win through luck, leaving her with nothing but petty tricks.
[“Duchess, will you continue to insult the royal family in this manner?”]
The Medeian nobles’ sharp rebukes made Helene stumble back. She barely managed to gather her wits and offered excuses.
[“It seems I misunderstood. I’m not yet fluent in Medeian.”]
[“But your passion for providing interpretations is truly remarkable.”]
A refined sneer accompanied by laughter echoed around her.
Soon, Helene became irrelevant to everyone.
[“Princess Cynthia, you’ve mastered Medeian so quickly. Your accent is that of a perfect, authentic noble.”]
[“Your pronunciation and tone are so elegant. Did you have a private tutor?”]
Helene, wearing a dumbfounded expression, was quickly pushed aside, watching Princess Cynthia being praised and surrounded by many.
Then, she realized that no one was talking to her.
“……”
What expression did Princess Cynthia wear in the past, when she sat alone, unlike Helene who was surrounded by many people?
That’s right. She was always smiling brightly.
***
I watched the wedding with a bored expression.
All I remembered was getting too many flower petals in my mouth.
The day was too cold, the sermon was too long, and the bride and groom clearly didn’t love each other.
It was really obvious. So that’s why people thought Masera and I wouldn’t say a word to each other behind the scenes.
Masera, sitting next to me, also seemed uninterested in the wedding. He was just…
“……?”
Just watching me?
Masera’s gaze keenly observed what I picked up to eat and what I drank.
“Brigadier General, what is it?”
“Please eat after I’ve tasted it first.”
He took the bear-shaped cookie I was about to eat, broke it in half, tasted it, and handed it back to me.
Is this a royal food taster?
“Ew, I don’t like it when it’s broken in half……”
“You still have to. Are you going to eat the head first next time?”
Recently, he had been maintaining a nonchalant tone and stiff attitude. Yet, he did everything I asked without upsetting me. Why was he doing this? Was it rebellion?
I looked down at the bear cookie with only its lower body remaining with a wounded expression, and he was on guard, worried that I would quickly put another dessert in my mouth.
[“Brigadier General, how have you been?”]
Just then, a gentle yet dignified voice was heard. Grand Princess Charlotte was smiling at us.
Seeing her alone, it seemed she had successfully avoided the unwanted marriage.
[“Thanks to you, Brigadier General, I’ve met many people who acknowledge me.”]
[“You’re enjoying great popularity.”]
The Grand Ducal Princess laughed heartily, not covering her mouth at Masera’s indifferent tone.
[“I’ve joined the Allied Forces Intelligence Command. I’m an intelligence officer now.”]
So, she found a dream instead of someone to marry.
I smiled contentedly at her. As if breaking free from a predetermined mold, Grand Princess Charlotte looked much freer and happier.
[“Princess, I apologize for only considering my position at the time and saying uncomfortable things.”]
“Pardon?”
As I blinked with wide eyes, she shrugged and said,
[“During the honeymoon, you actually understood everything, didn’t you? A noble accent isn’t something you can learn in just one or two years.”]
It seemed she was talking about when she said she would use Masera to avoid marriage.
I was caught. As I made a slightly embarrassed expression, she clasped my hands.
“Thank you for your consideration. I hope you will be free and happy as well, Princess.”
The Grand Ducal Princess conveyed her gratitude in Rutemian, returning the support I had given her in the past.
I felt my heart warming as I clasped her calloused hands.
It seemed I had made another good friend.
[“By the way, Brigadier General, aren’t you being too obvious about being in love? You’re like lovebirds, it’s sickening. Even though you look like an eagle.”]
The Grand Ducal Princess chuckled and turned away.
I was flustered by the comment about being like lovebirds, and then I noticed people watching us with motherly smiles.
A noblewoman with beautiful green eyes was smiling at me.
[“Brigadier General’s eyes are just dripping with love.”]
[“Madam Pritvatche, I agree. Ah, my husband’s eyes used to be like that too. Now they’re like a dead fish.”]
At the occasional voices, I flinched and looked at Masera.
What’s dripping from that man’s eyes? He just looks like an anxious owner worried that his dog will put anything in its mouth.
‘But… do people see us as being in love?’
Since when?
We weren’t even trying to ‘pretend to like each other’ like we used to.
Rather… we were keeping our distance and being cautious.
[“Oh, isn’t that child a Medeian?”]
Following the noblewomen’s gaze, I saw Eugene walking over, holding Dahlia’s hand.
“I tried to tempt him with delicious food, but he wouldn’t come……”
What’s going on?
Since it was a social event where he could meet children his age, I wanted to bring him along and have him make friends, but he refused, saying he didn’t like crowded places.
Eugene waved at me.
“Eugene, you hate parties, don’t you?”
Eugene looked embarrassed at my question, but only for a moment, before proudly puffing out his chest.
“I’m thinking of making some friends.”
Then, he said in a slightly timid voice.
“I’m going to go to school too… I want to go to the best university later.”
Dahlia added with an affectionate smile.
“His goal is to become the president of the university student council, make connections in advance, and then enter politics. His dream is to become a wonderful prime minister.”
He set up such a specific future plan?
The noblewomen who had been focused on our story, as well as the prime minister sitting nearby, burst into laughter.
“My little successor, then I’ll teach you how to subdue and be elected by the people in the assembly. First, you have to eat well and grow up healthy, ok?”
Eugene blinked his green eyes as he looked up at the incredibly tall prime minister.
“What do I have to eat to grow as big as you, Prime Minister? Do you have anything you like?”
“What I like most is alcohol—no, I ate everything without being picky.”
Amid the laughter of people adoring the child, Madam Pritvatche stared intently at Eugene.
Her green eyes were filled with curiosity and wonder.
***
Eugene had steeled his heart and mustered the courage to come to this place.
He had heard Princess Cynthia say that she wanted him to make friends and go to school, and he wanted to fulfill her wish.
“Hello.”
Eugene greeted the children his age who were playing in the garden first.
He had even brought his cherished warship toy to get along with his friends.
“Who are you? Where are you from?”
The children in luxurious clothes looked at Eugene with interest.
One of the girls smiled brightly and approached Eugene.
[“Hello, what’s that ship in your hand? It’s cool. Do you speak Medeian?”]
[“Yes, this is the Nautilus.”]
Eugene replied with an embarrassed face.
But then, a boy a couple of years older approached with a mean expression.
“Who are you? You have to reveal your name to nobles first.”
“Eugene.”
“What’s your family name? Don’t you have a surname?”
His insistent tone was like the cold-hearted adults of the past. Eugene stepped back and shook his head.
“Just, Eugene.”
“Are you a commoner by any chance? How did someone like you get here? You don’t even have a home.”
“I live in the official residence. A war hero is my uncle. The Princess is my big sis.”
The boy who had been mocking him paused at those words, and another boy chuckled and pretended to know.
“The orphan that the war hero took in and is raising. Right?”
Eugene closed his mouth and fiddled with his toy.
The boy who had started the trouble nudged Eugene’s shoulder and began to snap at him.
“I was wondering what it was. How dare someone like you try to join us? My dad says Brigadier General Vicente is also a commoner orphan, right?”
Eugene glared at the boy. His raised eyes were filled with anger.
He could tolerate it for himself, but he couldn’t stand Masera being slandered.
“Take that back!”
Thud-!
The boy who had been pushed over by Eugene wore a dumbfounded expression, then burst into tears.
“Waaaaah-!”
The boy’s parents, the count and countess, rushed over in a panic to check on their child.
The boy cried and screamed.
“He hit me! The orphan who lives in the official residence!”
“That’s right! We let him join our game, but he suddenly got angry and pushed Dave!”
Another boy chimed in.
“The kid that the Brigadier General took in? How dare an orphan whose origins are unknown lay a hand on someone precious, no wonder there are rumors that he’s the child of a war criminal!”
The count raised his hand in a fit of anger, when someone appeared and grabbed his wrist. Soon, a chilling voice was heard.
“What did you just say?”
